Work In Progress Blog: The Ensemble Project
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Silo Theatre is putting eight aspiring actors through their paces with a theatrical boot camp before taking to the stage to perform Life Is A Dream, directed by Michael Hurst, and Back Story, by Oliver Driver. The Big Idea will get the latest progress from The Ensemble Project actors and directors during the lead up to the performance, starting on March 14, as part of the Auckland Festival 09.
This week we hear from Rachel Forman about finding inspiration by scavenging, discussing and debating ideas, through file sharing (internet dating for thespians) and real life vox pops. Silo Theatre is putting eight aspiring actors through their paces with a theatrical boot camp before taking to the stage to perform Life Is A Dream, directed by Michael Hurst, and Back Story, by Oliver Driver. The Big Idea will get the latest progress from The Ensemble Project actors and directors during the lead up to the performance, starting on March 14, as part of the Auckland Festival 09.
This week we hear from Rachel Forman about finding inspiration by scavenging, discussing and debating ideas, through file sharing (internet dating for thespians) and real life vox pops.
Over the Christmas break we were scavengers. Using a Huddle file sharing website to share ideas and interesting characters we encountered. It was a great way to start devising Back Story- with conversation already flowing and ideas already being debated. Our conversations on the web site ranged from topics as varied as Religion, Memory, Gender, Science and Storytelling. Sharp debate was generated which gave way to ideas and inspiration.
The internet is the most amazing resource - within the discussion's links were made to videos, podcasts or articles. It was like debating in cyberspace. We also had a section of the site devoted to stories, stories we'd been involved in, stories we'd heard, myths, legends, fabrications...some incredible, some believable, some sickening. We got to know each other on this site, our beliefs and opinions, Internet dating for thespians.
Then came the day when we put our computers away and met in real life. We spent the first two weeks devising with Oliver, finding out where we want to take the show. One thing was for sure we needed more stories.
Day One. Oliver sets us a provocation. To get stories out of people on the street. Bree and I were given a piece of paper which had "English is my second language" written on it. We were to find people who could tell us a story about immigrating to New Zealand. Nat and Sam were given "Excuse me do you have a minute to tell me a story" (Greenpeace style), Dan and Renee were sent to a retirement home and Fern and Johnny had to make a list of ten things that are bad for you.
So Bree and I set off onto Queen Street. Assuming getting these stories would be easy. We were wrong. Queen Street is full of people to whom English is their second language, however most of them are tourists. Finding immigrants was tricky, then finding people who actually had the time or confidence to engage with us was a different story (sorry I had to). However humans being the creatures they are most people find it hard to resist a good natter about themselves and we soon had the stories we were after.
We have been using these vox pops as an insight into character and how people tell stories, observing everything in the storyteller, their physicality, vocal range, gestures and clothing.
Who knows what will come of it all but it has been an enriching exercise and an interesting way to talk to those people you would never normally come into contact with.
At the same time as we are devising Back Story we are rehearsing Life Is A Dream. A 17th century Spanish play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca. It could not be more different to Back Story. The play is extreme, about huge emotions, beautiful language and fiery god-fearing characters. The world in which it is written is so far from naturalism and yet must be played with 100% truth. I'm thinking Penelope Cruz in Vicky Christina Barcelona. Rational Madness. A real challenge and joy to work on.
Who knows where the next three weeks will lead us but I am very excited.
The Ensemble Project
Silo Theatre's Ensemble 09 are Johnny Bright, Rachel Forman, Renee Lyons, Natalie Medlock, Dan Musgrove, Bree Peters, Sam Snedden and Fern Sutherland.
THE ENSEMBLE PROJECT plays
March 14th - April 11th
Herald Theatre, THE EDGE®
Tickets: $20 - $39
Bookings: THE EDGE® Ticketing on 0800 BUY TICKETS or www.the-edge.co.nz
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19/02/09